Dog Tired .....

I consider myself one of the lucky ones in this world that has had the honour of living with and owning dogs, ever since the day I was born when we were the proud owners of a retired greyhound named Jacko. He was followed by a Manchester Terrier x Whippet named Tim who sadly left us at the tender age of 3, and then Patch, another young whippet cross that we had from Pat Wood of Animal Lifeline in Leek.

Me and Jacko - Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog 1976!

A couple of years later, I left home to work for the Youth Hostel Association in the Yorkshire Dales and Derbyshire where I spent a lot of time running and walking in the hills. I desperately missed having my own dog to walk and run with during this time and couldn't wait to get my own home where I could have as many dogs as the house would allow.

Whilst historically, my family had always had a preference for the gentle natured whippet, I had an obsession with Border Collies who came across as sturdy, obedient and intelligent dogs that needed lots of exercise - the type of dog that suited me perfectly with the amount of activities I did in the hills and mountains across the UK.

Not long after completing my final season at the YHA, I became the proud owner of Leo - a black and tan Welsh Border Collie  - and Sam, a ginger coloured Collie Cross. Both of them were absolutely brilliant dogs, and as expected, they were very obedient and well behaved around people and other animals. I spent many hours running with them, covering miles and miles of woodland trails and open moorland, enjoying that human / canine bond that only a lover of dogs can understand, and sharing our love for the great outdoors.

Me, Sam (L) and Leo (R) -
West Highland Way, Scotland  

 I had over 17 very happy years with Sam and Leo, and my only regret is that I didn't move to Canada sooner as  I'm convinced they would have felt very much at home and loved the open space.  Unfortunately, we lost both of them not long before the move, but I'm fortunate to have so many fantastic memories, and it almost feels like they are still living over in the UK and that one day, we'll meet up with them again.

Since losing Sam and Leo, we have acquired another little dog whose name is so frequently mentioned that I don't think he needs any introduction! His name is Wilson, and he came into our lives almost 2 years ago as a young pup of just 8 weeks of age. 

He was born on 19th December, the same birth date as Andy - and was described as a  Border Collie x Whippet - speed and endurance, gentle natured and  obedient - and so it was that he became a huge part of our lives.

It's funny how things are never what they seem, and had we taken greater notice of the Trade Descriptions Act, I think we would have asked for a refund! 

Wilson went from looking like a Jack Russell as a young pup, to a very leggy and skinny young pup, and as he grew, his legs kept getting longer and longer, he started to fill out a bit and ended up with a neck to rival that of Mike Tyson!

   

Short and stumpy little puppy.........

  

......to a leggy looking whippet type dog!

From an early age, he barked at other dogs and despite puppy training and assessments by a doggy behaviourist, we have never been able to curb this behaviour. Yet he's the most loving and loyal little dog anybody could wish for, although he is still quite a nervous little chap. The assessment showed that he tries to be alfa-wolf but hasn't got the confidence to take the lead, and so he pretends to be a big tough dog when really he'd scarper if anybody more than looked at him. The only time he's obedient is when he takes his toy out for a walk with him - you have his full attention and he will spend hours running backwards and forwards chasing his ball or teddy, even if surrounded by a hundred dogs!

We'd decided to have a young dog again, not only because we missed the liveliness of a youngster, but also because I'd had so much pleasure when running with Sam and Leo and I wanted to experience that feeling again. Wilson has tons of energy and I figured a good hour long run would tire him out. However, the first time I tried to run with him at about 6 month of age, he sprinted like a whippet at the race track, dragging me along with him, and barking at anything that went past - cars, bikes, people, combine harvesters - it really didn't matter. I tried it a few times, but everytime he seemed to behave in the same way, and the enjoyment of running with a dog became more stressful than anything - I just looked like an idiot with an out of control dog!

That was until earlier this week when I decided to give it another try. We'd had some heavy snow in Calgary and wanting to avoid treadmill running for as long as possible, I figured that a run on the tracks and trails around Fish Creek Park would be much more enjoyable, even though there was a good 20cm or so of snow, it was going dark, and temperatures had already plummeted to around - 7 degrees. I had a recovery run planned in and with the snow, it was going to be a slow one anyway, so I decided to take Wilson with me.

He'd already had a good walk around the local fields, but when he saw me putting on my running kit, he started to get restless and nearly knocked me to the floor when I picked up his lead and collar. He was so excited, and once out on the paths and starting to run, he was off before I'd even got my footing on the ice and snow.

The first mile or so was a nightmare. There was patchy ice that I couldn't see properly in the darkness, and I had an over excited little dog that was loving the freedom of running in the outdoors. Arse over tit came to mind on several occasions, but as we progressed, I kept telling him "steady" and he kept looking at me with a hint of understanding and slowed down whenever I said it. 

We eventually reached the proper snowy bits where we could both relax and were less likely to fall over. That's when I really started to enjoy the run! Being in the parkland area meant lots of wild smells and Wilson picked up scents on numerous occasions and tried to drag me off after some wild animals that were unseen to me in the dark, except for a herd of deer that I spotted digging in the snow and trying to find the grass beneath.  We passed a couple of other dogs too, but with a firm "leave it" from me, amazingly, he just glanced briefly and ran by without any commotion. I was gobsmacked but so proud of him.  With a lovely wet nose and looking so happy striding out beside me along the trails, it was clear that Wilson was loving this experience just as much as I was!

Me and Wilson partway through our run

We spent about 45 mins out on our first run together, and I have never seen Wilson look so content when we got back home. He cleared his dinner bowl, and then came and snuggled up next to me on the sofa and fell fast asleep, and I felt a strengthening bond growing with the young chap.

I've since been out on a couple more runs with Wilson and am absolutely loving being with him. Every time i pick up my running kit or shoes, he looks at his lead and collar as if trying to say "take me mum" and it doesn't seem right to let him down.

We are still contemplating getting a little friend for Wilson and the thought of being able to run with 2 or maybe even 3 dogs at some point is very appealing. I'd already started to get my mojo back for running since doing the Grizzly trail race the other week, but now I'm looking forward to hitting the trails and sharing them with my 4-legged friends. In the absence of Andy ever taking up running, I think I've definitely found the perfect running partner :o) 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Back in early June,  I came across a new ultra that would start in nearby Canmore - a 50km race on Rocky Mountain trails that would take place early October. I had just done the Calgary Marathon and had the urge to get back in to my ultra running, so I entered the inaugural Grizzly Ultra 50km Trail Race, and planned out my races over the next few months to ensure I was in tip top shape to run well. I was initially hoping that it would help me to be considered for selection to the GB team at the World Trail Running Championships in Anglesey next year, and along with a small amount of prize money on offer, there were enough incentives to motivate me to train hard and run well.

A month or so later, I had some exciting news and things were put on hold - I was expecting my first child in March next year - but by August I faced the devastating news that I had lost my baby which affected me physically, emotionally and mentally. The Grizzly had already become a non-starter having eased back on my running, but following this upset, I couldn't even contemplate jogging around the block let alone running 50km in the mountains.

Over the next few weeks, I felt apathetic with no motivation for anything, but thankfully  Andy and his parents were extremely supportive and helped to pull me through, whilst Wilson was an absolute God-send and cheered me up no end (it's amazing how animals can interpret your mood and do their utmost best to perk you up!)

During this time, I was still getting updates from the Grizzly organisers about how things were progressing for the race, and with each passing day, I was beginning to feel that I still wanted to be a part of it. By early  September I had made my mind up - I would start the race and just do one lap - 2 weeks later I made the decision to try and make it the whole way round. I knew I wouldn't win, I knew that I would never get selected for the GB team on my current fitness or on my performance in this race, but what I would gain from it was the opportunity to experience running on the trails in the Canadian wilderness.  And so it was that with just 2 long runs of around 16 miles under my belt since June, and with an average weekly mileage of no more than 35 miles, I found myself toeing the line at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Thanksgiving Weekend - no expectations and no race plans except to enjoy the run and to make it round in one piece so I could share my experience with others.

Race day dawned and we were greeted with a frosty -3 degrees, glorious sunshine, and a dusting of snow on the mountains overlooking Canmore. Grizzly Base Camp was buzzing with activity on arrival at the Nordic Centre and I was feeling very excited if a  little apprehensive about the next few hours. It was over a year since I did my last ultra - the Commonwealth Trail Championships in Anglesey when I represented England and had the most awful race ever. That was a similar distance, but held at sea level on a mostly flat course through Newborough Forest. I ran just over 5 hours and finished second to last - my run was so slow that the finish gantry had been taken down as I approached the finish line and everybody had gone back to their hotels - it was very disheartening and I felt like crying that day, whilst my confidence was knocked in to oblivion.

Thankfully the Grizzly would be different. For once I was doing it for me and rather than being at sea level, we were already at 4,500 feet and the route was far from flat with an elevation gain in excess of 8000' - the only similarity with Anglesey was that we would be running through the forests. I was also used to competing in ultras where I have a support crew who fed and watered me at strategic points throughout the race - today, whilst refreshments were available at the end of each of the 5 laps, we were expected to be self-sufficient. In addition, there was the threat of wildlife encounters, and the pre-race briefing warned us to be aware and on the lookout for bears, cougars, and coyotes, the latter of which had been spotted on the course during a pre-race check by the organisers around an hour or so earlier, along with several deer. With 2 bottles of energy drink, peanut butter and chocolate chip clifbars, extra clothing  and my can of bear spray tucked into my backpack, I certainly wasn't used to carrying my own stuff and having the extra weight. In a way though, it made it more exciting for me, more of an adventure, and I couldn't wait to get going.

Pre-Race and a cold and frosty morning in Canmore

 The course consisted of 5 laps;

Lap 1 Grey Wolf at 14km

Lap 2 Cougar at 12km

Lap 3 Lynx at 12km

Lap 4 Killer Bees 7km

Lap 5 Coyote 5km

With over 200 solo runners and a similar number of relay teams, I figured there would always be somebody close by, so the anxieties about a lonely bear encounter started to diminish, particularly on lap 1 where there was the sound of trampling feet for pretty much all the way. I'd started steady, was feeling really comfortable and was enjoying getting into my rhythm which I would hopefully keep going.

Midway through leg 2, I became aware that the number of runners around me was starting to dwindle - one minute there was somebody running alongside and the next, a considerable gap opened and I found myself running alone. The hills were also starting to take their toll on those around me, whilst my own legs were starting to feel heavy and tired.

The first two laps were quite similar - wide woodland trails with plenty of ups and downs, some rocky parts and fantastic views of the mountains. By the end of lap 2, I had already ran further than I had done in nearly 3 months, and with the most difficult legs still to come, I really didn't know how I would cope. My legs were starting to tire, but having spotted Andy and Wilson at the end of lap 2, it gave me a positive boost for what lay ahead.

Leg 3 was a killer and it really did knock the stuffing out of me. There was certainly variety with a very steep descent that went on forever, with plenty of twists and turns, sharp drops and steep climbs, tree roots, rocks and snow covered bridges. Heading downhill for so long meant that at some point we would have to go up, but even the warnings in the pre-race information hadn't prepared me for what was coming. By now, I really was on my own, and the only sound I was aware of was my own heavy breathing and my little bear bell jingling away on my backpack. This section was in very dense woodland with lots of blind bends and I consciously made a noise just in case some critter was lurking ahead and I startled it.  I had ran around 20 miles or so, and as I started the climb back up to base camp, fatigue really was setting in and the lack of long runs and hill work was clearly showing. This was where the mental battle overcomes the physical, where the brain is urging you onwards yet the body just wants to give up. I ended up running and walking up the hills, but then I reached what is known as coal chute and I stopped in my tracks. It was like a sheer cliff of about 200 feet, but rather than a rock face, it consisted of soft trail making it difficult to get a grip. My thighs were burning even when just walking up and I figured that if a critter fancied pouncing on me,  now would be the time as I really wouldn't be able to fight back! Amazingly, some runners were flying up that hill - and I mean runners, not people that were walking like me.

I tried to focus on just getting to the end of this leg as by then, I would only have 12km to do - a little over 7 miles, and I knew that I would most likely finish. Gritting my teeth and thinking positively, I eventually got back to base camp, grabbed some Gatorade before heading off on leg 4.

The next lap didn't get much better. Even though it was only about 4 miles, the first 2 were all up hill and again through dense forest on single track trails and very few people around. By now, I was starting to feel a little dizzy, I was getting palpitations and every time I tried to run, I just couldn't control my breathing. I remember having this feeling when I did the Swiss Alpine 78km Mountain Marathon a few years ago, the cause being altitude and dehydration, so I stopped and had a break, drank a full bottle of Gatorade to get some fluids and salts into me, and ate half a Clifbar. I managed to keep jogging and walking up the hill, and about 20 mins or so later, I felt much better and was able to put more effort into running. I was very aware of a very sore big toe and figured that it must be black by now, and as soon as I faced any downhill, my foot slipped forward in my shoe and battered my toe some more. To compensate, I scrunched up my toes which was causing my ankle to ache and my hip to tighten up due to my change in running posture. With 2 miles of uphill, this time it meant 2 miles of downhill and flat running on some quite rugged terrain, and my feet didn't half take a battering. Cursing with pain for the next half hour or so, I eventually completed my 4th lap, and with just 5km to go for lap 5, I knew now that even if I walked, I would finish the race.

Battle of the mind and body - end of lap 4 and heading off for 5th and final lap

More ups, more downs, but some amazing views greeted us on lap 5. I ended up fishing my camera out of my backpack to take some photos as it was such an outstanding view and it felt very surreal being here doing a trail race in the Rocky Mountains. For many years I have dreamt about living and running over here, but I never believed I would actually be doing it, yet here I was and I was loving it.

With views like this, the pain was definitely worth it

45 minutes after setting off on lap 5, I was heading towards the finish line of the Grizzly 50km Ultra Trail Marathon. I was elated and I felt quite emotional and so happy and relieved that I had done it. All the upset of the past few months disappeared as the realisation of what I'd just done dawned on me. Andy was there to greet me at the finish line along with Wilson and I was also so pleased to see our friend Neil from the UK and Alan Lam who had come out from Calgary to offer his support to many of his friends racing today. I collected my momento - a Grizzly beer glass that would certainly get plenty of use - and a small chocolate bear.

It had actually taken me around 5 hours 45 minutes to finish but I had finished 11th lady, 3rd in my age group and 39th overall - I really couldn't have asked for more given the lack of preparation and focus over the past few weeks.

In all honesty, prior to the race I had no idea how I would do and had so many thoughts and doubts over the preceding week. Would I finish? What pace should I run at? What fuel do I need to take on board? I ran how I felt, and because there was no pressure, it has to be the most enjoyable ultra race I have ever done. It's made me realise that ultra running is where I belong as no amount of PB's or race wins on the road have - or will - ever come close to the emotion I felt when finishing the Grizzly.  Any race is a test of one's ability to push themselves to the limit, but for me personally, I feel like I only truly test myself when I have to battle with the physical and mental side of things - when my legs are crying out in pain but I still have another 2 or 3 hours of running, when there is yet another hill ahead of me but I want so desperately to finish the race that I climb that hill as that's the way to success, even though I could just turn around and walk 400m in the opposite direction and quit. It's the risk of being out there on the trails and being addicted to that element of risk and the unknown. I also find that ultra runners, no matter what their ability, are a different breed of runner. They are very aware of their fellow competitors and look out for them. They are more outdoorsy and tend to have an adventurous spirit and positive outlook on life, they are very unassuming people that are content with life but enjoy pushing themselves to the extreme, and I can honestly say that in the 30 years that I have been racing, no matter where in the world, I have rarely felt that sense of belonging that I feel when I have competed in an ultra.

I'm now on the lookout for more ultras over here in Canada, and as I've said before, there are so many to choose from. One caught my eye earlier this year before I moved here permanently - the Iron Legs 50 miler starting from nearby Bragg Creek and taking in some 20,000 feet of climbing  - and following recommendation from Alan, this may be my main focus for next year, all things permitting. The Rocky Mountains are only a short drive away and it seems such a shame to see them every day and not get out there to explore. I'm an outdoor, happy go lucky kind of girl that likes thing tough, so why the hell not?!